600 families still in evacuation centers due to MILF clashes

Almost half of the 1,200 families who recently fled their homes in Datu Piang in Maguindanao due to the recent fighting there between two warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) factions have returned to their homes in time for Ramadan. “As of yesterday (Wednesday), our last report is that there were 1,200 families [in evacuation sites]. As of this afternoon, it’s down to 600. As of now the commanders on the ground said they are only 600 staying in evacuation centers," said 6th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Benjie Hao. The affected families were from the villages of Alingunin and Aliong. They left their homes Sunday after members of the MILF’s 105th and 106th base commands clashed due to clan war or “rido." The fighting stopped Monday after military planes dropped non-lethal smoke bombs to the area. Hao said the smoke bombs served as “markers before we strike with bombs." “When the markers were dropped, they stopped (fighting)," he said. Hao said those who left the evacuation centers probably wanted to observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in their homes. “Mostly probably, the reason why they went back is because it’s already Ramadan," he said. Ramadan started Wednesday. - KBK, GMANews.TV